Buckingham company prosecuted for food hygiene offences

Archived press release

Date Published: 10/03/10

A Buckingham food processing and packing company has been fined £8,500 following an investigation by Aylesbury Vale District Council’s environmental health officers.

Aylesbury Magistrates’ Court heard that during an inspection at Natco Foods Ltd, based at Swan Business Park, in February 2009, the officers found serious breaches of basic food hygiene regulations.

The officers found proof of a mouse infestation on the premises as well as evidence of inadequate pest control management and poor standards of cleaning. This resulted in seven hygiene improvement notices being served on the company.

The premises were inspected again in May 2009 and, although the standards of cleanliness had improved, adequate pest control procedures were still not in place.

At Aylesbury Magistrates’ Court on 2 March, Natco Foods Ltd pleaded guilty to three offences under food safety legislation. The company was fined £8,500 and ordered to pay court costs of £3,960, along with a victim surcharge of £15.

Councillor Sir Beville Stanier, Cabinet Member for Environment and Health, said: “This case sends out a strong message to food premises within Aylesbury Vale that we will not hesitate to take legal action which could result in premises closure and prosecution, where breaches of food safety law are found.

“Mice spread a wide range of disease, such as salmonella, and food businesses must make regular checks of their premises for signs of pest infestations through cleaning and stock rotation and take action as necessary. Buildings should be ‘pest proofed’ to ensure pests cannot gain access.

“The environmental health team will continue to ensure that consumers are protected by taking a consistent, appropriate and balanced approach to enforcement.”